Before Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) vacated his UFC lightweight title, he dismissed ex-featherweight champ Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) as his next title challenger. He wasn't interested in defending his belt against another 145-pounder coming up a weight class after two of his four lightweight title defenses coming over Alexander Volkanovski.

Former UFC fighter Josh Thomson recently weighed in on a potential bout between Islam Makhachev and newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.

Ilia Topuria has fired shots at Islam Makhachev following confirmation of his next fight. Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt at UFC 317. Makhachev has vacated the lightweight belt to chase welterweight gold, likely facing off against Jack Della Maddalena late this year, if not early 2026.

Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are now officially set to battle for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28 during International Fight Week. With

Islam Makhachev is currently chasing greatness as the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, seeking legendary MMA status. He The post Islam Makhachev’s Big Dreams Faces Major Warning from UFC Legend Chael Sonnen: “He is a Smaller Guy” appeared first on FirstSportz.

Oliveira notoriously lost his belt to the scale at UFC 274; otherwise, he'd have two title defenses and three title fight victories to his name. Islam Makhachev thwarted his second attempt at undisputed at UFC 280, and he's been locked out of trying for a third time ever since.